Vacuum Braking System Seminar PPT Download -Mechanical Seminar Topics

The vacuum brake was, for many years, used in place of the air brake as the standard, fail-safe, train brake used by railways. Pneumatic braking systems use compressed air as the force used to push blocks on to wheels.The vacuum brake system is controlled through a brake pipe connecting a brake valve in the driver's cab with braking equipment on every vehicle.A vacuum is created in the pipe by an ejector or exhauster. The ejector removes atmospheric pressure from the brake pipe to create the vacuum using steam on a steam locomotive, or an exhauster, using electric power on other types of train. With no vacuum the brake is fully applied. The vacuum in the brake pipe is created and maintained by a motor-driven exhauster. The exhauster has two speeds, high speed and low speed. The high speed is switched in to create a vacuum and thus release the brakes . slow speed is used to keep the vacuum at the required level to maintain brake release. vacuum against small leaks in the brake pipe is maintained by it.

Principal Parts of the Vacuum Brake System

Vacuum Braking System

1)Driver's Brake Valve:

driver controls the brake using this. It has the following positions: "Release", "Running", "Lap" and "Brake On"."Neutral" or "Shut Down" positions are also available which locks the valve out of use. he "Release" position connects the exhauster to the brake pipe and switches the exhauster to full speed. This raises the vacuum in the brake pipe as quickly as possible to get a release. the exhauster keeps running but at its slow speed in the "Running" position. This ensures that the vacuum is maintained against any small leaks or losses in the brake pipe, connections and hoses."Lap" is used to shut off the connection between the exhauster and the brake pipe to close off the connection to atmosphere after a brake application has been made."Brake On" closes off the connection to the exhauster and opens the brake pipe to atmosphere.

2) Exhauster

A two-speed rotary machine fitted to a train to evacuate the atmospheric pressure from the brake pipe, reservoirs and brake cylinders to effect a brake release.

3) Dummy Coupling:

a dummy coupling point is provided At the ends of each vehicle to allow the ends of the brake pipe hoses to be sealed when the vehicle is uncoupled.

4)Coupled Hoses:

The brake pipe is carried between adjacent vehicles through flexible hoses.

5)Vacuum Reservoir:

a vacuum reservoir is provided on, or connected to the upper side of the piston to ensure there is always a source of vacuum available to operate the brake.

6)Brake Cylinder (shown in blue):

The movement of the piston contained inside the cylinder operates the brakes through links called "rigging".

7)Brake Rigging:

the movement of the brake cylinder piston transmits pressure to the brake blocks on each wheel through this system.

8)Brake Block:

the friction material which is pressed against the surface of the wheel tread by the upward movement of the brake cylinder piston.

9)Ball Valve:

The ball valve is needed to ensure that the vacuum in the vacuum reservoir is maintained at the required level, i.e. the same as the brake pipe, during brake release but that the connection to the brake pipe is closed during a brake application.

ADVANTAGES

•simple in design

•ability to get partial release , something the pneumatic brake could not do without additional equipment

•greater amount of safety because the vacuum lossage results in the braking of the vehicle

•highly reliable in the case of rail wagons

•Permits the automatic application of brakes down the entire length of the train from a simple control in the drivers hand

•vacuum brakes are also fail safe since the vacuum is used for applying the brake

CONCLUSION

The vacuum brake was considered preferential to the air brake in railroad applications largely because it was cheaper to install on a steam locomotive. Air brakes required a steam-powered compressor - bulky, noisy, unsightly and using a lot of power, while the vacuum ejector used to generate vacuum was a much simpler device. It has the advantage of being simple in design and of having the ability to get a partial release, something the air brake could not do without additional equipment.